St. Louis Cardinals: Five Remaining Free Agents Who Could Be Serviceable Additions

The St. Louis Cardinals have already addressed several needs in preparation for the upcoming season, but free agency provides the opportunity to make an even larger statement into the new year.

After dedicating more than $112 million and nine years between the contracts of southpaw Brett Cecil and World Series champion Dexter Fowler, the St. Louis Cardinals answered uncertainties surrounding late-inning pitching specialists and the routine outfield layout.

While these moves alone serve as precursors for improvement upon last season, St. Louis is no stranger to making late offseason pushes for free agent. Over the past decade, the Cardinals have signed long-term models like Matt Holliday and short-term fixtures such Pat Neshek to post-New Year’s Day offseason contracts.

One recent article from MLB.com’s Cardinals beat writer Jenifer Langosch suggests that gambling for a big name free agent like Jose Bautista or Mark Trumbo may not be likely unless the team sees their services as enticing for the team’s present and future development.

The real question then is whether an addition such as these names (or others) will actually do much toward catching the 2017 Cubs. There are plenty of writers who are voicing that the idea of catching the 2017 Cubs is one filled with flaws, the St. Louis Cardinals should not simply do nothing.

Therefore, if the Cardinals were to make a signing in the next few months, it would likely be in an area that could still depth or improvement. For the upcoming season, such an acquisition could mean adding another relief pitcher for a bullpen that struggled with injuries and inconsistencies last year or pursuing a utility position player that could adapt to infield or outfield duties.

Let’s add here quickly that GM Mozeliak himself has made statements voicing a desire to add pieces to the farm.

Additionally, the ability to bring in under-the-radar players could prompt more excitement, experience and anticipation for catching a Chicago Cubs team fresh off their first World Series in a decade. With all factors considered, here are five free agents who could work their way near contracts before Spring Training begins next month, each with different likeliness to hone a uniform with the birds on the bat next season.